News and Views

News and Views

Marygrove College, a Catholic, liberal arts college, is committed to both teaching diversity and respecting the diversity of its students, faculty and staff. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus, the Holy Scriptures, its Catholic tradition and Catholic Social Teachings, we stand against any form of discrimination based on race, ethnicity and religion. Therefore we stand with refugees and immigrants who are prevented from pursuing freedom from persecution in the face of hostilities and those seeking a better life for their families who are barred from entering the United States. We base our stance on the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, especially these two:

·Option for the Poor and Vulnerable A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

·Solidarity We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice (Pope Paul VI Day of Peace address, January 1, 1972). The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.

Pope Francis has been an outspoken advocate for refugees and immigrants. Before President Trump signed his Executive Order banning refugees and visitors from seven predominately Muslim countries, Pope Francis said that it was hypocritical to "call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee."http://www.snopes.com/pope-francis-condemn-trump-travel-ban/

Detroit Catholic Archbishop Allen Vigneron released a statement acknowledging that elected officials have a duty to not only enforce laws but ensure “the dignity of the human person, the protection of families, and a generosity commensurate with the blessings our nation has received.” The head of Metro Detroit’s estimated 1.3 million Catholics added: “Therefore, our immigration system must treat migrants and refugees with the same dignity as native-born citizens. It must recognize the fundamental wrong of separating families, particularly when children are involved. And it must not be blind to the rich contribution made — in the past and in the present — by men and women who have come to this country as migrants or refugees.”http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/religion/2016/12/09/support-vigneron/95233490/

Marygrove College stands in solidarity with refugees and immigrants of all faiths and prays that by example and deed, we, as an institution, may be a witness to the faith we profess. To that end, I signed on to the ACCU’s (Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities) Statement on Executive Order dated January 29, 2017. For your reference, you may find the full text of the ACCU statement by clicking here: http://www.accunet.org/files/Press_Media/2017-Executive-Order-Press-Release.pdf.